Head flowing fluid lift



J. PENROD HEAD FLOWING FLUID LIFT Filed May 26, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 1&9. 1

Feb. 16 3.932,

Feb. 16,1932. I J. PENROD 1,845,180

HEAD FLOWING FLUID LIFT Filed May 26, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 sa l i attozmq Feb. 16, 1932. J. PENROD HEAD FLOWING FLUID LIFT Filed May 26, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 5&9-

Patented Feb. 16,1932

' UNITED STATES PATENT *oer ca JOHN PENROD, OF OKMULGEE, OKLAHOMA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF T ROBERT D.

THOMPSON, OF OKMULGEE, OKL AI-IOMA I HEAD FLOWING FLUID LIFT Application filed May 26,

This invention relates to fluid lifts espe- I v ducing stratumlin accordance with standard cially adapted for use in wells.

An important object of the invention is to provide a head flowingfluid lift having means whereby the air or gas inlet valve may be adjusted preparatory to the installation of the lift so that the same may be moved to air or gas inlet position only as a result of the accumulation of a predetermined volume of oil or other fluid in the tubing whereby the well may be flowed at the most advantageous intervals and the supply of lifting medium conserved. Q 9

Another and equally important object is to provide a fluid lift in which the intimate minglingof the lifting medium, be it compressed air or gas, with the column of-oil being lifted is avoided whereby cutting of the oil and lowering of thegravity thereof is reduced to a minimum.

The invention forming the subject of this application also embodies novelfmeans by which the oil or other'prodnct of the well between the tubing and the casing during or subsequent to the installation of the improved lift may be expeditiously pumped off to allow of the most efficient use of the compressed air or gas as a lifting medium.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description. I

In the'accom'panying drawings forming a part of this application and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same, v

Figures 1 and 1a are vertical sectional views through the improved pump in position to admit oil to the tubing and to exclude the lifting medium, r

Figure 2 is a fragmentary vertical sectional View through the pump in position to admit a lifting medium andto exclude oil, Figure 3 is a side elevation of'a sleeve valve embodied in the invention, 7

Figures 4: and la are vertical: sectional views through a modification of the invention. a

In the drawings the numeral 5 designates a well casing, the lower portionof which is provided with the usual shoe 6 adapted well casing.

192?. Serial-N0. 194,369;

to be positioned onthe cap rock of the pro practice. i p

The invention forming the subject. of this application is adapted tobe attached to a tubing 7 through'the medium of, a coupling 8, to'the lower portion ofwhich the casing 9 is connected. Figure l clearly illustrates that the casingis in the nature ofa cylinder'having the upperfportion thereof divided'and the ends thus-formed connected to an annular member 10. V v

The lower terminal of thejcylinder 9 has connection withthe upper annulus or end member 11 of a more orless' conventional s65, .packerjlQ. With reference to Figure 1 it will be seen that thejbody of the packer 12 is expansible and is adapted to have fluid tight contact with thewall of the well'cas ing to seal off the annular space'between the tubin and wellcasing vabove the packer from the space below. The lower end member or annulus 14:- of the packer is slidably mounted on a nipple 16 incorporated in the main inlet conduit .for the oil and the parts 14 and 16 are provided with flanges '18 and 20 respectively for contact during thedescent of the fluid lift into the well. It is not new, but it might, beexplained that when the per.-

forated portion '24 of the inlet conduit 'isl80 vengaged with-the bottom of the well the annulus or upper end memberll'carried by the nipple 16 will continue to descend to expand the packer into-fluid tight contact with the Thus asealis established at this point. y I v I v a The annular space between the tubing and the well casing constitutes chamber or reservoirfor a lifting medium, such as compressed air or gas; which comes intolifting 49 0 relation to the tubing fluid by entering through ports; 26 and 2.8, and by passing through check valves 30; ln-explaining this; attention is invited to Figure -1 which illustratesithat a sleeve valve 32 is mounted 011795 themain fluid inletmember 33 within the cylinder or casing 9 and isprovided with ports 34 adapted to bebrought into register withthc ports26 and 28 to permit of the flow of tl16 llftl11gilIlBClilllll,'SllCll as com- 16 pressed air or gas,'fron1 the well casing into the tubing.

Continued reference to Figure 1 will show that the sleeve valve 32 is urged down to 5 closed position by a suitably stout spring 36 confined between the annular member and a washer 238 on the upper end of the sleeve valve.

It will be seen that after the intentional breaking of a knockout disk .in a manner and for apurpose to be hereinafter'described, oil or other product of the well may rise in the tubing and exert a pressure on the under side of the sleeve valve 32 sufficient to over- 15 come the pressure of thespring 36 whereupon the valveis :moved to the open position illustrated \in Figure'Q. In this-connection refer ence is had to Figure 1a which illustrates a .gas :relief port 42 in the perforated portion '24 ofthe inlet c nduit 'for'the oil. [This figure also illustrates ar-tubularinember 43 extending entirely through the packer so that the pressure o'f the column of fluid within the tubing may act on'the under side of the sleeve valve to raise the sleeve valve to open position whenthis pressure is su'flicienttoovercomethe pressure ofjthe spring 36. In other words the pressure of the tubing fluid is tran'smit ted through'the port and the tubular member 43 to the underside of the sleeve valve 32 whereby the accumulationof a pre determined volume of oil in the tubing will yoperate the sleeve valve.- Ttishere noted'tha t the space e-Xteriorly of theoi'linlet conduit between the port 42 and the lowerend of the sleeve valve will be occupied by trapped gas; but this gas will not man impair the operation of the pump asthe gpressure of the fluid may act'through thisgas quite as eifec'tively as if the column of fluid had direct contact with the sleeve valve.

Attention is again invited'to Figure 1 which illustrates thatthe compression of'the spring 36j-und'er the influence of the pressure of the column of fluid in the tubing is limited by a-stop sleeve 45 disposed within'the cylinder 9 and betweent'he member 10 and the Washer 38. It is possible to varyit'he'efiective pressure ofithe spring 36 by adding or'rem'oving washers 38 or the equivalent thereof. Also stouter or lighter springs may be employed. In this connection .is observed that the pressure of the spring 36 may be adjusted preparatory to the installation of the improve'dfluid lift in a 'wellso that a minimum pressure on the producing stratum may be maintained. In explaining this it is pointed "out thatthe tension of the spring 38 may be a'djustedtoyield under a predetermined hyfdrostati'c pressure so that when the weight of the column of fluid inthe tubing exceeds this the sleeve 'vialve'wi'll be/moved to open position whereupon compressed air or gas may enter the tubing and elevate the column of fluid a bove. Asthje'pressure within the tubing drops as a result of the flow of fluid therein, the pressure tending to hold the valve in open position is correspondingly reduced with the result that the spring will return the valve to closed position.

The sleeve valve 32 is provided on the outer sidethereof with sets 46, 4:7 and 48 of spaced rings cups or the like having fluid tight contact with the cylinder 9 to avoid leakage of'the liftingifluid such as compressed air or gas. 'lVhen the sleeve valve is in closed position as suggested in Figure 1 the sets of rings 46211161 47 will be positioned at opposite sides of the ports 26. The location of the rings l6'and 47 at opposite sides of the ports 26 when the sleeve valve is closed is assured by a stop sleeve 44 mounted in the lower portion of thecyl-inder. V

7 When the valve 32 is in open position the registration of the vports '34 with the ports.

26 and 28 and-the location of the rings 4:7 and 48 at opposite sides'o'f the ports 26 is assured trates that the oil inlet 33 is provided with additional rings 7 0 by which fluid of any nature which may be beneath thesleeve valve 32is prevented from working its way between the sleeve valve and the conduit.

In assembling the improved pump for use in a well the frangible knockout disk 40 is secured above the perforatedportio1r2 l of the inlet conduitand below the packer to prevent the premature admission of oil or the like into the tubing by way of the inlet gportion 24, which will, of-course, later function as the sole inlet for the products of the well. Duringthe introduction of the improved fiuid lift into the well the packer 12 is, of course, in its nonexpanded position with the result that the oil already in the well casing will pass about the surface of the packer .and'collect between the tubing and the well casing. The pressure of this fluid between itheitubing and well casing will manifest itself against the under side-of the sleeve valve 32 and lraise the sleeve valve to open .position even before the packer is seated at the "proper point in the well casing; When the sleeve valve .32 :is thus moved to open position the oil or other product of the well between the tubing and thewellcasing above will enter the tubing byway of the ports 26, '34 and 28 andthe conduit 'and the valves 30. Of

"the annular seat 56 *in the upper portion of thereof. the natural pressure thereof for any reason the coupling 8 after which the working bartherein and will exert a pressure on the head of casing liquid to aid the working barrel in lifting theliquid through the tubing. In this manner the oil originally between the tubing and the well casing is recovered, after which the working barrel is withdrawn to the surface. v A striking element such as a heavy boltis now dropped through the tubing to knock out the frangible disk so that the well may, if possible, flow under the natural pressure When the well ceases to fiow under the compressed air or gas may be turned on and the well livened up after which 1t may flow for a period under its own pressure.

During the application of compressed air or gas the well may be flowed by heads which is considered the most advisable or thefluid may be sprayed by maintaining a back pressure on the tubing fluid sufiicient to hold the valve 32 in the position illustrated in Figure 2. It is well known and it is not'uncommon in the industry to maintain a back pressure on the well by the employment of a choke at the surface and by means of which the fluid conducting member is restricted.

IVhen the well has ceased to flow under its own pressure a standing valve 57 may be dropped through the tubing into a seat at the upper portion of the conduit 66 so that during the subsequent head flowing of the well the lifting medium is prevented from exerting a back pressure on the producing stratum.

As previously suggested the head flowing of the well is accomplished by the pressure exerted 011 the under side of the sleeve valve 82 which moves the valve to open position illustrated in Figure 2 whereupon compressed air or gas is admitted to lift the column of fluid to the surface. When the lift-- ing medium discharges a portion of the column of fluidfrom the tubing the load on the lifting medium is substantially lightened so that the lifting medium, which may be in the nature of compressed air'or gas, is used expansively to accelerate the ascent of the remaining portion of the column of fluid.

As the compressed air or gas within the tubing expands the tubing pressure will drop with the result that additional oil .may enter the tubing preparatory to the next flowing of the well.

In other words,

The presence ofthe one-way valves 30 prevents sand which may settle from the column of fluid from entering the conduit and possibly freezing or fowling the rmgs or cups or causing excessive wear of the sleeve-valve. Another very important func tion of the one-way valves'30 is to prevent the escape of oil or the likethrough the im proved fluid lift when the well is flowing naturally. Furthermore, if for any reason the supply of compressed air or gas is mterrupted and the tubing pressure becomes sufficient to move the valve 32. to the open position illustrated in Figure2 the valves 30 will prevent the oil in'the tubing from traveling out through the ports 34 and associated ports into the space between the tubing and the casing above the packer.

Itmight be noted that the sleeve valve 32 is held against turning by a key 87 carried by the lower end of the, sleeve valve and received in a longitudinal groove'or key-way 88 in the'inl-et 33. Of course any other .mechanical expedient may be employed to hold the sleeve valve against turning.

In the form of invention illustrated in Figures 4 and 4a the tubing is designated a by the numeral while the, casingor outer cylinder of the improved fluid lift is designated by the numeral 101. The cylinder 101:

cooperates with an inner cylinder 102 in the formation ofan annular chamber for the reception of a sleeve valve 103. Figure 4 clearly illustratesthat a compression chamber 99 is provided by the cylinder 101, the piston 103 and the upper bushing 106 and that this compression chamber may be supplied with air by way, of a valve 104. In carrying out this form of invention air under pressure is forced into the chamber 99 through the valve {10a and by reason of the fluid tight contact between the parts shown in Figure 1 the air. thus introduced into the chamber 99 is of substantially constant volume to act in the nature of a spring for returning the sleeve-valve 103 to closed position when hydrostatic pressure drops be low a predetermined point. r

The sleeve valve 103 is provided with radial ports 108 adapted for registration with ports 109 and 110 in the cylinders 101 and 102 respectively and it'is throughthese ports that a lifting medium such as compressed air or gas may enter from the casing and assume lifting relation to the fluid accumu *lated inthetubing. Particular attention is invited to Figure 4a which illustrates that the lower portion of the cylinder 102 is provided with a suitable number of ports 111 by which tubing pressure may assert itself against the under side of the sleeve valve to move the sleeve valve upwardly to air or gas inlet position. a It is important to observe thatthe upward movement of the sleeve valve to gas or :air inlet position in response to an increase m tubing pressure 1S resisted not only bythe pressure of the air within the chamber 99., but by a spring catch .121 which is engaged with the shoulder of a dog 120. In other words, when the laterally projecting terminal portion of the spring catch 1'21 isengaged with the shoulder of the dog 120 the 'pres-sureof the column of oil in the tub .ing must overcome the restraining influence of the spring 121 combined with the pressure exerted by the air in the chamber 99 before the-sleeve valve may be moved to inlet position. However, when the dog is released fromxengagement with the spring catch 121 the :tubing pressure being so much greater than the pressure within the chamber 99 will quickly. move the sleevevalve to open position. The dog 120 is connected to the lower end of the sleeve valve 103 by suitable 'means such as a threaded stem118.

lvhenithepiston is thus moved to open position-as shown in Figure 4 a second dog 125 a dro 3 in the tubin )ressure to a oint sub- :stantially below the pressure exerted by the .air within the chamber-99 will result in the disen a ement of the do" from the s rin t: b D 25 12 1 whereupon the sleeve valve is returned to air excluding position by the air confined under pressure within the chamber 99.

During the admission of air or gas to the tubing to lift the column of oil therein a standing valve 144 in the inlet member 141 remains closed so as to prevent an excessive back pressure on the producing sands by the Fairor gas. A suitable perforated anchor 1413 is located at the lower portion of the inlet member 141. V

The improved fluid lift contemplates the employment of a packer 140 directly beneath the lift to provide a seal at this point whereby the lifting medium may be supplied to the fluid lift by way of the casing without creat- -ing a back pressure onthe sands.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed is: V

1. In a'flnid lift for wells, a valve casing having an inlet for the admission of a fluid.

lifting medium, a longitudinally movable valve within said casing and having a port to'register with said inlet, means urging said valve to an extreme position, a 'condultexfrom said casing, and a check valve between.

said valve casing and said tubing.

2. Ahead lift flowing device for wells comprising a casing, a tubing for connection with -with the casing, a valve within said casing and having means controlling the admission of acfluid lifting medium to the tubin :37 liquid conduit extending partly through said firstnamed valve and adapted forcommunication with said tubing, a check valve between said first-named valve and said tubing, there being means whereby the tubing pressure'may urge said first-named valve to open position.

4. Ahead lift'flowing device for wells comprising a casing, a tubing for connection with the casing, a valve controlling the admission of a fluid lifting medium to the tubing, a

lifting medium conduit extending partly through said valve and adapted for communication with said tubing, a check valve'between firstqiamed valve and said tubing, there being means whereby hydrostatic pressure -may urge said valve to open position, and

means urging said first-named valve to closed position against hydrostatic pressure.

5. A head lift flowing device for wells comprising a valve having means to control a lifting medium, means urging said valve to closed position, a conduit extending partly through said valve and adapted for the passage of a lifting medium, asecond conduit within the first-named conduit and adapted for the passage of the products of a well, and separate control devices at the outlets from said first and second named conduits.

6. In a fluid lift, a valve having means to control a lifting medium, a spring urging said valve to closed position, a conduit extending through said valve and adapted for the passage of a lifting medium, a second conduit within the first-named conduit and adapted for the passage of the products of a well, and a one-way valve at the outlet of 1 said second-named conduit.

7. A head lift flowingdevice comprising a valve having means to control a lifting medium, a conduit extending through said valve and'adapted for the passage of a lifting medium, 'a second conduit within the firstnamed conduit and adapted for the passage of the products of a well, and a one-way valve associated with said second-named conduit, there being means whereby hydrostatic pressuremay act on said valve to urge the same to open position to admit a lifting medium.

8. A head lift flowing device comprising inner and outer tubular members havmg ports, the inner tubular member definmg a r 1,845,180 I I i to said valve to urge the same to open position, and a one-way valve inthe path of travel of the fluid from the well.

9. In a fluid lift for wells, inner and outer tubular members having ports for the passage of a lifting medium into lifting relation to the products of the well, a valve between said tubular members and having a port adapted for registration with said first-- named ports, a packer associated with one of said tubular members and having a passage whereby hydrostatic pressure may act on said valve, and a spring urging said valve in the direction opposite the direction it is urged by hydrostatic pressure and adapted to yield under hydrostatic pressure on said valve, one of said tubular members constitut ing a conduit for the movement of the products of the well, and a valve in the line of travel of the productsof the well.

10. In a fluid lift for wells, inner and outer tubular members having ports for the passage of a lifting medium into lifting rela-' tion to the products of the well, a valve between said tubular members and controlling the ports therein, a packer associated With one of said tubular members and having a passage whereby hydrostatic pressure may act on said valve, a spring urging said valve in the direction opposite the direction it is urged by hydrostatic pressure and adapted to yield under hydrostatic pressure on said valve, one of said tubular members constituting a conduit for the movement of the products of the well, and stop elements limiting movement of said valve.

11. In a fluid lift for wells, inner and outer tubular members having ports for the movement of a lifting medium into lifting relation to the products of the well, a sleeve valve between said inner and outer tubular members and controlling said ports, there being means whereby hydrostatic pressure may act on said valve, said inner conduit having separate passages for the flow of the products of the well and a lifting medium, and means urging said sleeve valve to an extreme position against hydrostatic pressure.

12. A head lift flowing device comprising a casing having inner and outer tubular members, a tubing having connection with said casing, a sleeve valve between said inner and outer tubular members andhaving means to admit a lifting medium to the tubing, said casing being provided with a one-way valve between said first-named valve and the tubing, there being means controlling the move prising a tubing, a valve having means to admit a lifting medium to the well tubing and being exposed. to and moved to inlet position by hydrostatic pressure, an inlet member adapted for communication with the producing stratum of the well, and a second valve associated with the inlet member and ex-- posed and adapted to be closed by the lifting medium in the tubing whereby the producing stratum is maintained free of the lifting medium.

14-. In a fluid lift for wells, a conduit adapted for the passage of well liquid, a valve casing having means to admit a lifting medium into lifting relation to liquid in said conduit, .a valve controlling said means and being exposed to and movable in one direction underthe influence of hydrostatic pressure, and a check valve in the path of travel of the lifting medium between the first-named valve and the liquid in said conduit.

15. In a fluid lift, a casing having spaced interfitting conduits defining a passage for the products of a well and a separate passage for a lifiting medium, there being means to admit a lifting mediumto the passage there,- for, a pressure actuated valve within said casin g controlling said means for the admission of the lifting medium to the passage therefor, and a one-way valve at the outlet from said passage for said lifting medium.

16. In a fluid lift, a casing having spaced interfitting conduits defining a. passage for the products of a well and a separate passage for a lifting medium, there being means to admit a lifting medium to the passage therefor a valve controlling said means for the admission of the lifting medium and being exposed to and responsive to hydrostatic pressure, andseparate valves at the outlets to said passages. v

17 In a fluid lift for wells the combination of a casing adapted for the flow of a lifting medium, a tubing within the casing and adapted for the passageof the products of a well and the lifting medium, a valve controlling communication between the tubing and the casing, and a packer between the tubing and the casing ata point below said valve, there being means extending through the packer and exposingsaid valve to hydro- 

